What is the ASEAN China AI Lab?

The ASEAN China AI Lab was first launched at Zetrix’s headquarters in Malaysia, as part of a government-to-government initiative between Malaysia and China. That hub became a showcase for projects in generative AI, robotics, and blockchain, while also providing a platform for addressing critical issues such as data sovereignty and cross-border compliance.

So, why is Zetrix expanding to Indonesia?

Why Indonesia Matters

Indonesia is the largest country in ASEAN by both population and economy, making it a natural choice for expansion. By localising AI models and solutions to Indonesian language, culture, and regulations, the lab will make advanced technologies more accessible to local institutions and industries.

With the new Jakarta facility, Zetrix aims to replicate that model and tailor it for Indonesia’s unique market. The company formalized this move in August 2025 through a teaming agreement with PT Royal Solusi Investasi, a subsidiary of the Royal Group.

The partnership combines Zetrix ’s technical expertise with Royal Group’s experience in digital transformation and its deep knowledge of Indonesia’s regulatory and business environment.

This move also reflects a broader vision to make ASEAN a hub for innovation that serves the Global South. Rather than importing models wholesale from either the West or China, the lab aims to create a hybrid approach, one that incorporates global advancements but adapts them for local needs.

What’s the Plan for Indonesia’s AI Lab?

The Jakarta lab will focus on the convergence of generative AI, robotics, and blockchain. This multi-disciplinary approach seeks to create applications that are not only technically sophisticated but also relevant to business, government, and society.

One example of the lab’s work is NurAI, the world’s first Shariah-aligned large language model, which was originally developed in Malaysia. The Indonesian branch will build on this achievement, ensuring that similar innovations are aligned with local culture and governance requirements.

A lot has been done to expand the ASEAN China AI Lab, but there’s still more to come.

Future Plans for AI and Blockchain in the Region

The expansion into Indonesian is a step towards a larger regional vision. Zetrix intends for the ASEAN China AI Lab network to become a distributed ecosystem across Southeast Asia. Each branch will contribute to shared research, datasets, and innovations, creating a framework for AI development that is grounded in ASEAN values while remaining globally competitive.

The Jakarta facility, therefore, is more than just a local outpost. It is part of a growing architecture that seeks to position ASEAN as a meaningful contributor to the global conversation on AI, bridging diverse technological ecosystems and offering an alternative model for responsible and collaborative innovation.